Storm.

Rudra sat in the back of his car, watching the news. His interview was broadcasted live, yet the channel was still talking about it. He changed the channel. A voice came from the TV set.

"Hello, welcome to the weather broadcast. The government has issued a high alert in the coastal regions as a category 4 hurricane approaches. Strong winds and heavy rain showers are inbound. Please remain indoors and be sure of your homes. Moving on..."

Rudra glanced outside the window. It was true. The winds have picked up the pace. He picked up his cellphone and dialed the number of his secretary. The call connected after a few rings.

The other side spoke first, "Yes, sir."

Rudra replied, "James, announce a two-day vacation. The staff can work from home. Ask two technicians to stay in the office and pay them. They will have to maintain the server, give them extra payments. The vacation is in effect till the hurricane passes and the situation stabilizes."

James replied, "I will get this done, sir." and Rudra disconnected the call. He then said to Tony, "You also take off for the meanwhile."

Tony replied, "Yes, sir."

Rudra may look cold, but he was very emotional and sensitive. He just did not express it as often as a normal human should. He changed the channel and caught up with the economical news and stock exchange. After a few minutes, Tony said, "Sir, we have arrived." he has already parked the car inside the underground parking lot.

Rudra snapped out of his thoughts and opened the door. Tony also stepped out of the car and handed him the keys. Then he took his motorbike and left. Tony could keep the keys on him, but since it was a costly car and it might cause problems if he lost the key. He asked Rudra one day if he needs to hold on to the key. Understanding his concerns, Rudra came up with the current arrangement.

Rudra lives in a high-rise building. The apartment has 6 bedrooms. One swimming pool and one study. Every room had its own balcony. He walked inside the elevator near the parking area. A young liftman greeted him with a salute. As an employee of the building, the liftman already knew what floor this person lived on.

With a buzz, the lift moved upward. Rudra said to the young man, "How is your daughter recovering?" a few days ago, this guy was lost in thoughts and his face was brimming with tension. Rudra asked him what happened and after some hesitation, he was told that the liftman had just become a father to a lovely girl but the child was weak and needs treatment. Yet the young man was just a liftman, and he could not afford so much money suddenly. Rudra came forward and helped him out.

The Liftman smiled and said, "She is finally doing good. It is all your blessings, sir."

Rudra shook his head and said, "It's not a big deal. What did you name her by the way?"

The Youngman replied, "We named her Chitra. She looks like a painting after all." the young man was thrilled whenever he thought of his baby girl. He did not notice that Rudra was now lost in thoughts, maybe no one except him nows.

The lift reached the 9th floor and the cold-faced man walked out with no other word. The liftman did not mind, the whole staff called him an ice cube. He went back down to wait for someone else to come.

Rudra walked up to the door, looking blankly at the space. He pressed the doorbell and stood there as he scratched the ring on his left index finger. The door opened, a lady wearing a white dress stood there. The lady had gray hair, and she wore a blue-colored nurse uniform. She bowed to him slightly. When she stood up, the man had already walked away. She found it strange. Ever since the day she started working here never has Rudra not asked about Akshika as soon as he steps inside the door.

...

The old lady walked back to the room where Akshika was sitting on a bed holding a game controller. The girl had a very gentle temperament, unlike how she was on the phone with Rudra in the evening. Her long black hair complemented her big black eyes. She had a fair complexion and red lips. No one could say that she could not walk, her eyes were filled with life. Her hair was tied in a ponytail, yet some strands were covered her forehead's left side.

She heard some footsteps and did not look up as she asked, "Was it not Rudra at the door, Janet?" in her silky voice. Her heart knew Rudra so well that she could tell if it was him from his footsteps only.

The old lady was called Janet. She was the nurse hired by Rudra to take care of Akshika when he was not home. Every day, he would come back from the office and first meet Akshika. In the past few years, this has been never changed. Janet spoke, "It was him, but he just walked back to his room. He did not even take off his shoes."

Akshika looked up with a frown and put down her game controller. She used her hands to scoot to the edge of the bed and removed the blanket. She moved her legs over the edge of the bed. A wheelchair was placed next to the bed. The girl leaned across and held on to the handlebars of the wheelchair. After a strong push, she sat down in the chair with a thump.

She glanced at the old lady and said, "You can go home for the day, Janet. Also, please call for a taxi it's not safe to take a sharing tuk-tuk. I will reimburse it. Janet shook her head and said, "No, no, I will take a taxi. You don't have to reimburse me. Just take care of yourself."

Akshika smiled and after Janet took up her bag from the side, she walked out. The wheelchair was battery-powered, so it can be controlled by a joystick. The girl followed behind Janet and after she left, Akshika closed the door. Controlling the joystick, the girl came to Rudra's room. She was about to knock when she heard thunder outside. The next thing she heard was a loud sound coming from Rudra's room.

She knew he was breaking things. Something has disturbed him greatly. She did not knock on his door but sat there silently. Throughout their lives together, nothing could make Rudra lose control except for one person.

Akshika glanced at the wooden door and mumbled, "Chitra, why do you always cause a storm in his heart?"

She sat in her place for a couple of hours before the sounds from inside the room stopped. Sighing, she knocked on the door.

...

Inside the room, Rudra was sitting amidst the debris. His heart was in disorder when he came back home. He needed to vent out. The room was filled with a lot of glass figurines. He thought and break them one by one in helplessness. As he sat down on the floor, glancing at the ceiling, a knock sounded on the door followed by a voice asking, "Did you let her take control of you again?"

Rudra sprang up, rushing to the door. His eyes were filled with tears. He hesitated whether or not he should open the door. The voice sounded again, "Are you still going to act alone, Ru."

Tears fell from the grown man's eyes and he opened the door. His best friend, the only person he could call his family, sat in front of him. Akshika asked, "Tell me what happened?"

Rudra crouched down and told her about the conversation that took place in the lift. He said, "Akshu, I don't know why is she not getting out of my head? What do I do? I want to look for her, but then I don't want to. Why is this happening to me?" unknowingly his head was already placed in her lap.

Akshika patted his head gently and said, "Ru, the day you give up on getting her will be the day she will get out of your mind. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Remember, only when you give her the authority can she disturb the peace in your life."

The two people fell silent. Suddenly Akshika exclaimed. The boy was surprised. He stood up and asked, "What happened?"

Akshika snorted, said, "You guy. Is my lap a pillow. My legs are all numb. Also, what about your room decor now? Call someone after the hurricane is gone. You sleep on the couch till then. Such a mess you are." with that said, she turned away and headed to her room. Rudra stood there in shock and he muttered, "Your legs are numb? Aren't they senseless?"

Akshika said, "I heard that, and now as a punishment, play soccer online with me for the whole night." on her lips a bright smile rested. She loved teasing this iceberg.

Rudra was helpless in front of this girl. He said, "You know, you are no less than a hurricane?"

Akshika spoke, "You are just jealous for not being as good as me. You Ice Face."

Although the mood was cheery and mellow, inside their hearts, a storm was brewing. A storm that might destroy this happy bond they had.